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The odds already were long and get longer by the day. But Panthers coach John Fox said he is still sending a positive message to his players after Thursday's 24-17 loss to Miami.
In a perfect world, the Carolina Panthers obviously would prefer to run more. Panthers coach John Fox said Friday he was far more concerned about the team's continued red-zone problems than the lack of a consistent running attack.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was in Charlotte on Monday and said he has been impressed with how active a role Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson has taken in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement with the players union.
The eerie part is that it was part of the breakfast conversation Sunday morning.
But the reality for the Carolina Panthers quickly came to bear in the second quarter, when their offensive line changed significantly for the rest of the season.
For eight games, the Carolina Panthers held their breath.
On Sunday, they finally had to dip into their offensive line depth, and they almost certainly will have to the rest of the year.